Saturday, December 6, 2008

What can I say, when you find a good idea, use it in as many different ways as you can. Here is yet another spin on the pull-up gift card holder, only this one folds to a single panel, with a pull-up area for a message or gift card. Folded dimensions are 2-1/4" x 4-14". Flat dimensions are 5" x 4-1/4" scored at 2-1/4" and 4-1/2" with a half inch wrap around seal. Inside panel is 2-1/8" x 4-1/2". For this gift card holder, I wanted something fun and Florida style...bright and sunny!!! I chose Real Red, Green Galore, Whisper White and So Saffron Cardstock. I edged the scallop circle “sun” in Only Orange and the hand colored surfer snowman in Real Red ink. Blender pens and markers were used to hand color. I added touches of glitz by dotting 2-way glue over the finished art and sprinkling with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. The ribbon is 1/4" red grosgrain and the stamp set is called Shellebrate, perfectly adorable for us coastal inhabitants. Have fun dressing up your gift card giving with this fun project!

Friday, December 5, 2008

If you enjoyed yesterday’s post, then you are really in for a treat today! This multi-panel card has a hidden, pull-up panel that is a perfect place to attach a special message with a gift card on the back panel. You can make (2) of these from a standard 8-1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock cut 4-1/4" x 8-1/2", folded in 2-1/4" increments. The last panel of the accordian fold is tucked back around and secured to the 3rd panel using a scored 1" x 4-1/4" strip of patterned paper. To hold this closed, I used a ribbon with a tied bow.

Here is a view of the 3 panels opened up, showing all but the pull-up message!

Close up view of panels 2 & 3...TO FIND A PERFECT TREE AND.... FOR MY LIGHTS TO STAY LIT! {he he he} That panel was inspired by my DH who obviously pissed off the goddess of lights at some point in his life. He has been doomed ever since and the lights do not make his holidays very happy! Sorry Dear! I know you lovingly do it for my sake, and we can only pray that whatever lights you put up will stay lit and problem-free in 2008!

Here is the hidden, pull-up panel. Since this isn't a close-up, the message reads...AND TO GIVE YOU THIS PRESENT! (This is where I would attach the gift card on the back side with temporary adhesive.

This shows the back view of the closed card/gift holder. I used the Mr. Twigster set along with the snowflake from the Snow Swirled set. Other supplies: Glue Arts adhesives, white and brown 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Frosty Day Designer Series Papers, Bashful Blue ink, Basic Brown Ink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Bashful Blue Cardstock, Stampin’ Write markers & blender pens, 1/8" hole punch and tab punch, all from Stampin’ Up!®. I will also post in my Stampin’ Up Gallery an alternate version of this card concept using different phrases on the panels. Be sure to check both of my galleries for newly posted card, gift & decor ideas.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Just had to let you know about the special holiday pricing on shipping at Stone Creek Creations...just $5*!!! Plus, if you order the Krafter’s Purse (my larger size tool caddy) along with the KP2 (that you see me bring to my workshops packed with stuff), you get the Karousel (turntable for the Krafter’s Purse) for FREE! But, you have to add the KP mini to your must have list. I love this tiny organizer that stays on my worktable and travels with me to my demos. It is small and has a built-in karousel on the bottom. Check these out on their website! By Purchasing the Passion Pink Krafter’s purse, you can help fight Breast Cancer.

*Orders must be placed by Dec. 31st. Only available on shipping in the U.S.

Ready to make a cute matching card and envelope? This is a piece of cake with patterned papers! Here I used the Frosty Day Designer Papers from Stampin’ Up!® along with my favorite new snowman set, Mr. Twigster. Isn't he the cutest? For the stocking, I cut the shape from coordinating orange PP and added some liquid applique for the fur. (This puffs up when heated with embossing heat tool). I used Close To Cocoa ink and colored markers to add color to the snowman. I cut one of the star shapes and layered it over a 3/4 punched piece of paper that matches the stocking. To make the top layer pop, I added touches of sponged Pumpkin Pie ink around the edges. I glued matching PP on the envelope flap to finish off this coordinated card and envelope set. The coordinating solid cardstocks are Old Olive and Chocolate Chip from Stampin’ Up!®. Go to my Stampin’ Up! website to order these in time for the holidays! Check back tomorrow for a cool card idea with pull up gift card/message panel using Mr. Twigster and the Frosty Day papers.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Here is another craft idea to turn your child’s photo into a treasured ornament for your tree. Using my template I created, I stamped, embossed and distressed the paper pieces, assembled with Glue Arts Glue Ring Adhesive and Micro Adhesive squares. I cut an appropriate sized photo (leaving the hair and neck so I would have a way to attach this to the body). I created the halo from wire and two prima flowers glued back-to-back. The stamp set used is Joyeaux Noel from Inque Boutique/Darice. The NOEL message was attached using scored pieces of cardstock hung over knotted hemp. I attached it to the hands by wadding up a small piece of the adhesive square and attaching it to the back of the knot. The pretty layered, glitter flower is from Making Memories’ Noteworthy collection. If you are interested in the template, email me or leave me a comment along with your email so I can send it to you! Happy Holiday Crafting!!! Now I have to get busy on one for Ashley, my oldest daughter. This is our daughter, Kylie, 13.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

More turkey left overs, but these aren’t the eatin’ kind! Here are some other Thanksgiving card ideas. I hand cut the paper pieces for the assembled turkey card and used the Stampin’ Up!® Doodle This set along with markers and the Aqua Painter brush to watercolor the flowers that I stamped in Basic Brown ink. I cut off two of the bottom pointed petals, stamped an additional pointed flower so that I would have enough feathers to layer. I also used the rounded flower to do the two side wings and the bottom made from a scallop circle punch sheet of Kiwi Kiss CS. Glue Ring Permanent adhesive was my choice for assembly. The Happy Thanksgiving sentiment I added was from the Occasions Collection hostess set—Earn this one by hostessing a workshop!!! Email me to book one. Can’t you just gobble up this card??? Very fun to make!

This card uses a simple one color stamped fern image from the Stampin’ Up!® Organic Grace hostess set to create the background with the stemmed design in brown. These accent the tiny turkey silhouette from the Occasions Collection hostess set. This simple concept can be used to highlight a phrase, image or photo for any them or occasion.

Monday, December 1, 2008

I thought today was the perfect day for this special card. I am very grateful today for the many blessings that I have received and for how amazingly lucky I feel to be able to connect with so many wonderful, talented people and the amazing friendships that have grown since I have begun scrapping and stamping. I feel very blessed that God has filled me with so many ideas and words to share, and this blog has been the perfect place to do that. Thank you for visiting, posting comments, sharing your creativity and mostly for inspiring me to keep doing what I love and live to do...create.

This “Give Thanks” card uses the Stampin’ Up!® level 3 hostess set, Happiness Always with the Sanded background stamp. The Really Rust Cardstock and raffia accent add to the rustic feel of this card. I used reinkers and a baby wipe to create the multi-colored swiped background behind the gold embossed leaf. (The colors can be bold or subdued based on the colors you choose to use.) Have fun trying this technique!

On the sanded background, I used autumn colored markers to give the stamp various shades and dragged Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke and Basic Brown pads over the edges & card front for colored distressing. The Thanks verse is from the Occasions Collection hostess set with a handwritten “Give” added with a Pumpkin Pie marker.

I interrupt my Christmas Countdown for some really cool news... Scrapbooking.com magazine has notified me that I am the proud recipient of the blog of the week award. How cool is that! Go to their site and check out all the other amazing articles and project inspirations that they have featured there for additional ideas for holiday gifts, scrapbooking layouts and more. Be sure to check out my Cereal Box planner project featuring Glue Arts adhesives under the “Adhesives” section in the pulldown menu.

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Quick tips for living life creatively.

Photography Tip: How to Make Them Forget About The Camera

Usually when someone shoots photos, they wait until the end to do the silly outtake shots. My secret is to do them first. This can lighten the mood, loosen up your subjects and make them relax more...all leading to them forgetting about the camera. This also allows you to dial in your settings while they are still playing. This can definitely be a strategy for shooting young kids. Let them play a bit and get familiar with you before you point this big scary lens at them.